Downtown Seattle gathering place weeknight
April 15, 2013 5:43 PM Subscribe
My husband and I are going to Seattle in a couple of weeks. We would like to have a get-together with several friends, 15-20 people.
Ideally a place that is casual, there will be a couple with their newborn, toddler and five-year old. As well as other friends with older teenagers. Not a wild drinking night, but a very rare night that far-flung friends will be in the same city. Something that won't happen again for years if ever. So we want food, adult beverage for those who wish, conversation, the ability to move around tables and circulate a bit.
Where is this place? I'm hoping to be in/extremely near Pacific Place or City Center. Or otherwise near convenient, safe parking. More concerned about weather possibilities and having people walking terrible distances in it. I don't mind making reservations/otherwise guaranteeing a number of people to reserve a private dining room. This would be either Monday, April 29 or Tuesday April 30.
Ideally a place that is casual, there will be a couple with their newborn, toddler and five-year old. As well as other friends with older teenagers. Not a wild drinking night, but a very rare night that far-flung friends will be in the same city. Something that won't happen again for years if ever. So we want food, adult beverage for those who wish, conversation, the ability to move around tables and circulate a bit.
Where is this place? I'm hoping to be in/extremely near Pacific Place or City Center. Or otherwise near convenient, safe parking. More concerned about weather possibilities and having people walking terrible distances in it. I don't mind making reservations/otherwise guaranteeing a number of people to reserve a private dining room. This would be either Monday, April 29 or Tuesday April 30.
Best answer: Of course it depends on how fancy/not you want to get but the Gordon Biersch in Pacific Place should suit your needs. They're a brewery but very family friendly.
IIRC, there is also a large area near the back with a nice view outside that could probably seat 15-20. It's not going to be 'a Seattle experience' (not that you are necessarily looking for that) but it could definitely accommodate everyone. Decent burgers/food, good beer for those who want it and casual.
posted by Tevin at 6:49 PM on April 15, 2013
IIRC, there is also a large area near the back with a nice view outside that could probably seat 15-20. It's not going to be 'a Seattle experience' (not that you are necessarily looking for that) but it could definitely accommodate everyone. Decent burgers/food, good beer for those who want it and casual.
posted by Tevin at 6:49 PM on April 15, 2013
Best answer: That part of Seattle is very different than when I lived there, so I don't have any recommendations right around the 6th/Pike neighborhood. But there's an Old Spaghetti Factory on Elliot near Broad (down toward Myrtle Edwards Park) that could probably accommodate your group. They have a parking lot and a banquet room.
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 9:26 PM on April 15, 2013
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 9:26 PM on April 15, 2013
Best answer: So, it's a crazy idea but might be a fun Seattle adventure and would certainly work for an all-ages crowd: take the Monorail to Seattle Center and have dinner in the newly remodeled Armory, which used to have terrible food but since a recent remodel there are some really good choices, including Skillet and Pie. So crazy it just might work...
posted by lois1950 at 10:04 PM on April 15, 2013
posted by lois1950 at 10:04 PM on April 15, 2013
Best answer: You can reserve a room (they have various sizes to accommodate different groups) at Wild Ginger (down on Second Ave.) for just this kind of thing. I've done it a couple times, and it was fabulous -- you'll have a dedicated wait staff, the food is good, and you can stay however long you like.
posted by emcat8 at 10:53 PM on April 15, 2013
posted by emcat8 at 10:53 PM on April 15, 2013
Response by poster: Marking all answers as best. I should have stated that we are all from Seattle and aren't necessarily looking to do "Seattle" things... just want to hang and visit and not be in the way of regular customers.
Everything suggested is great and some of my favorite places to go to when I'm back home. I'm from Ballard, so I can't even count how many times I've eaten at Louie's! We've decided to reserve space at Gordon Biersch, it's dependable and can't complain about being able to park in the same building. (I always park on Bangkok level, because I'm 12)
posted by Jazz Hands at 5:06 PM on April 16, 2013
Everything suggested is great and some of my favorite places to go to when I'm back home. I'm from Ballard, so I can't even count how many times I've eaten at Louie's! We've decided to reserve space at Gordon Biersch, it's dependable and can't complain about being able to park in the same building. (I always park on Bangkok level, because I'm 12)
posted by Jazz Hands at 5:06 PM on April 16, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 6:45 PM on April 15, 2013